Celebrate 50 years of Middleton Library
Middleton Library 1958 (left)
Library Dedication ceremony in front of the building in 1959 (right)
Crossword (link to solution below)
Virtual Scavenger Hunt (offsite)
LSU Faculty Recommended Best Books
In September 1958, LSU's Library moved into a new building and a grand dedication event was held on October 23, 1959. Some alums may remember being excited when the new building opened with air-conditioning and open stacks, where they could help themselves to the books. It was officially named for General Troy H. Middleton in 1979 after his death, as he was one of the highest-ranking university officials to support the new library. His name was quite fitting for the sturdy edifice, as Middleton was a World War I veteran, World War II hero, three-star general, and President of LSU (pictured right).
Fifty years later, the combined resources in Hill and Middleton libraries offer students, staff, and faculty support for instruction and research through collections containing over three million volumes and more than twelve million manuscripts.
LSU Libraries' U.S. Regional Depository Library collection, the United Nations documents collection, and the U.S. Patent Depository Library collection are housed in the Library. It has been a depository for publications of the federal government since 1907 and has a substantial portion of the nation’s documents issued before and after that time. In 1964, LSU Libraries became a Regional Depository Library.
In 1981, the library was designated an official depository for U.S. Patents. The patent collection includes all patents issued from 1871 to the present. That department of the library also has an extensive collection of scientific and technical reports from the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the National Technical Information Service.
The Rare Book Collection is wide ranging and eclectic in nature, with concentrations in 18th century English literature and history, book arts and the history of the book, New World exploration and travel, economic history, and science fiction and fantasy.
The E.A. McIlhenny Natural History Collection was donated to the LSU Libraries in 1971, in memory of Edward Avery McIlhenny of Tabasco fame, whose private library forms the core of the collection. Rich in ornithological and botanical art, it is an exceptional resource for researchers in the history of those fields. High points in this collection include the James Audubon's double-elephant folio Birds of America, and the “Native Flora of Louisiana” collection of original watercolor drawings by internationally renowned botanical artist Margaret Stones.
The building now boasts comfy furniture, 300 computers, and coffee shop – no ban on beverages any more! (Photo of Information Commons in 2007, right)
A celebration, marking fifty years, will be held on October 23, 2009 in the afternoon. Special exhibits will be on display in Education Resources, Government Documents, Music Resources, and Special Collections.
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